Grimstroke Counters & Build

Clinkz 754 matches

−1.9%

WhyClinkz secures an early lane advantage and cleanly counters Grimstroke's Phantom's Embrace, as the silencing phantom automatically falls off whenever Clinkz enters invisibility with Skeleton Walk. Furthermore, the massive attack speed and range from Strafe paired with Searing Arrows and Infernal Shred allows Clinkz and his Skeleton Archers to shred Grimstroke from safety.

Spectre 1,834 matches

−1.5%

WhySpectre establishes an early advantage by winning the lane slightly against Grimstroke. In team fights, Haunt and Shadow Step allow Spectre to use Reality to instantly jump onto Grimstroke in the backline regardless of terrain, isolating him with bonus pure damage from Desolate and Spectral Dagger's slow.

Sniper 2,550 matches

−1.4%

WhySniper dominates Grimstroke early in lane due to his superior attack range from Keen Scope and Take Aim, allowing him to safely harass and farm outside the reach of Ink Swell. Additionally, Sniper's physical attacks make short work of Phantom's Embrace since hero attacks count as three hits each, while Shrapnel's vision and Assassinate enable him to pick off Grimstroke from safe distances.

Spirit Breaker 1,831 matches

−1.4%

WhyWhile the laning stage is roughly even, Spirit Breaker gains the upper hand in later teamfights by rapidly closing the gap on Grimstroke with Charge of Darkness and Nether Strike to lock him down with Greater Bash. Additionally, Planar Pocket redirects Grimstroke's crucial single-target abilities like Soulbind and Phantom's Embrace, while Bulldoze provides status resistance to quickly shrug off the crowd control from Stroke of Fate and Ink Swell.

Slark 1,218 matches

+3.0%

WhyAlthough the lane is roughly even, Grimstroke heavily constrains Slark later in teamfights. Soulbind leashes Slark to an ally to prevent him from escaping with Pounce while duplicating targeted spells onto him, and Phantom's Embrace silences him to block active casts like Dark Pact and Shadow Dance unless attacked off. Additionally, Dark Portrait creates a debuff-immune illusion that copies Slark's high physical attack damage against his own team.

Necrophos 2,094 matches

+1.8%

WhyGrimstroke loses the lane to Necrophos, but his control tools provide a major advantage later in the game. Necrophos cannot attack to remove Phantom's Embrace while using Ghost Shroud, leaving him silenced and susceptible to magic damage that Ghost Shroud inherently amplifies. Additionally, Soulbind leashes Necrophos to an allied hero and duplicates incoming unit-targeted abilities against them both.

Lifestealer 1,947 matches

+1.8%

WhyGrimstroke's Dark Portrait creates a debuff-immune illusion of Lifestealer with bonus attack damage and movement speed, turning the carry's own right-click strength against his team. Furthermore, Soulbind leashes Lifestealer to an ally to restrict his movement and duplicate targeted spells, while Phantom's Embrace forces him to spend attacks clearing the phantom or be silenced and unable to cast Rage or Infest.

Nyx Assassin 747 matches

+1.5%

WhyGrimstroke's early laning advantage begins with his ranged harass, using Stroke of Fate and basic attacks to easily pressure the melee Nyx Assassin. Both Stroke of Fate and his basic attacks apply Ink Trail, providing true vision that can expose Nyx Assassin and disrupt his Vendetta positioning. Additionally, Soulbind grants continuous vision and leashes Nyx to an ally, heavily punishing his hit-and-run assassination attempts.

Axe 2,275 matches

+1.4%

WhySoulbind heavily disrupts Axe by leashing him to an ally, duplicating targeted spells, and preventing him from blinking to initiate. Additionally, Phantom's Embrace applies a silence that prevents Axe from casting Berserker's Call or Culling Blade, while Ink Swell punishes his close-range engagements with area stun and damage.